Komodo Dragon and National Park

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a species of monitor lizard that inhabits Komodo and Rinca Islands in central Indonesia.  It is the largest species of lizard and grows to 3 metres in length.  As a result of their size these lizards are apex predators, dominating the ecosystems in which they live. 

The young are laid in hatches of about 20 eggs which incubate for about 9 months and hatch in April when insects are plentiful.  As the young are vulnerable they live in trees, safe from cannibalism by adults.  Maturation is at about 3 to 5 years, and they live for up to 50 years.  Komodo dragons are capable of parthenogenesis, in which viable eggs are laid without fertilization by a male. 

Komodos often appear to have blood-tinged saliva.  This is due to the teeth being covered in gingival tissue, which is lacerated during feeding, creating the ideal environment for the virulent bacteria, which live in the mouth.

Komodos hunt by stealthy ambush after locating prey, including buffalo, deer and pigs by smell.  Often the prey will survive an attack to later die of envenomation and septicaemia, at which point several dragons will consume the carcass.

Komodo and Rinca Islands are National Parks and access is by boat from nearby Flores Island.

 

Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine and land) of 1817km. As well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, the Timor deer and over 150 bird species. Moreover, the Park includes one of the world’s richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.


 

Threats to biodiversity

Threats to terrestrial biodiversity include the increasing pressure on forest cover and water resources as the local human population has increased 800% over the past 60 years. In addition, the Timor deer population, the preferred prey source for the endangered Komodo dragon, is still being poached. 

Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite, cyanide, and compressor fishing severely threaten the Park's marine resources by destroying both the habitat (coral reefs) and the resource itself (fish and invertebrate stocks). The present situation in the Park is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on demersal stocks like lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution inputs, ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may pose a major threat in the future.